theathleticuk
The Florida Panthers faced another injury setback on Tuesday night when veteran winger Brad Marchand was helped off the ice in the second period of their game against the Los Angeles Kings. Marchand appeared to sustain an injury to his left leg, adding to the team's growing concerns.
During the final minute of the middle frame, Marchand was driving toward the net when he was struck in the head or neck area by a high stick from Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke. As Marchand fell, his left leg seemed to buckle, with teammate Brady Tkachuk and Los Angeles center Scott Laughton also converging on the net.
Marchand crumpled to the ice and clutched his leg, remaining down for several moments behind the Los Angeles net. He was unable to place any weight on his left leg as he was assisted off the ice and taken to the Florida dressing room. He did not return to the bench for the start of the third period.
This was only Marchand's second game of the season, following an earlier-than-expected return from a surgical procedure in the offseason to address an unspecified lower-body issue. In his season debut on Sunday, he scored with 1:50 left in regulation to help the Panthers earn a point in an overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Panthers are already without star captain Aleksander Barkov, who is expected to miss six to eight weeks while rehabbing a leg-related injury suffered last week in a road game against the San Jose Sharks. Sunday's game was Marchand's first since March 6, as the lingering lower-body injury cut short his previous season after he recorded 27 goals and 27 assists in his first full year with Florida.
Key Analysis
The potential loss of Marchand would further deplete a Panthers lineup already missing its captain. With Barkov sidelined for an extended period, Florida's depth will be tested as the team navigates a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.